Category Archives: Romans

Grace and peace

Fourth Sunday of Advent

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:22-23

God is with us. God is with us. God is with us.

There is nothing to fear. We can let go of anxiety, worry, distress, shame, negativity, blame. Jesus has come to make us whole in trust, love, compassion, mercy, grace, and peace.

Today I will open my heart to let the holiness of the Spirit within show me how to love myself and my neighbor.

In harmony

Second Sunday of Advent

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide. Isaiah 11:3

When we welcome and accept people of all cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles without being influenced by others’ opinions, when we balance justice with mercy and are faithful to God’s command to love our neighbor, then we will bear the good fruit of harmony and fullness of peace that is God’s vision for our world.

Today I will ask God for a spirit of wisdom and understanding and a heart of kindness and compassion. May I do my part to fill my little corner of the world with the knowledge of the Lord and help heal the harm caused by fear, conflict, aggression, and division.

Light my way, Lord

First Sunday of Advent
First Sunday of Advent

“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” Isaiah 2:3

The climb up the mountain to the house of the Lord demands perseverance, courage, and trust. The love, example, and presence of Jesus prepare, instruct, and sustain us as we make a commitment to walk in the paths of peace, justice, healing, forgiveness, nonviolence, and compassion.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to bring the healing light of compassionate love to all the dark places in my mind and heart that impede or prevent me from walking in the paths of the Lord.

Jesus welcomes us all

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Jesus in Benares

[Jesus said to the crowds:] “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” John 6:37

We hope in Jesus and invite all people to walk with us in his way of mercy, love, nonviolence, justice, kindness, and healing. We walk with Jesus and have the courage to face adversity and hardship. We trust Jesus to guide us and we live in peace.

Today I will go to Jesus and know he will welcome me. I will trust him to sustain me in everything.

Trust God

Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi (1837-1887)
Le Christ dans le désert, 1872
Tretyakov Gallery

Jesus said to [the devil] in reply, “It also says,
‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.‘” Luke 4:12

We have no need to test God. Even in dark times, God is with us. God doesn’t protect us from anything, but God sustains us in everything.

Today I will trust God is near me. I will trust God to sustain me as I do my best to embody nonviolence, peace, kindness, compassion, and welcome—even in the dark times.

Led by the Spirit

Holy Trinity, 17th c.
Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil

For those who are led by the Spirit are children of God. Romans 8:14

The Spirit leads us to trust the goodness of our hearts, to look for the face of God in all people, to treat each member of God’s human family with loving kindness, to listen to others with patience and understanding, to breathe peace into every situation.

Today with child-like faith I will let the Spirit lead me into God’s heart of compassion and wisdom.

The love we owe

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Deux ou trois personnes assemblées
en mon nom
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another. Romans 13:8

I owe you nothing except to love you—which means I owe you welcome, kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, mercy, justice.

Today I will not harden my heart when I hear God’s voice of love. I will offer all members of God’s precious human family the love I owe them.

Eternal love

Banias, Israel named for the Canaanite god Pan. Renamed Caesarea Philippi after Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great. This is the site of Peter’s Confession–“Who do men say I am?”

For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor? Romans 11: 34

We can never know the depths of God or the workings of God’s mind, but we can always trust God’s unending love for each and every one of us.

Today I will know I am surrounded and enfolded by God’s love in every moment. I will share that love generously with others.

God answers with kindness

Bilal Mirza
House Sparrows in Pakistan

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

God cares about us. God watches over us. God is with us through times of distress, grief, and persecution. God’s grace overflows into our hearts to give us the courage and faith we need in every moment. We have nothing to fear.

Today I will pray to the Lord for guidance in every situation and know that he will answer me with kindness and compassion.

Grace and peace

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7b

The grace of God fills my heart and mind with faith in God’s presence and hope in God’s vision of perfect love and unity among all people. May I receive this gift of love with gratitude.

Today I will spend a quiet few moments in the presence of God and welcome the gift of love into my heart and being.